Plunger and block retainer for balers



Aug. 11, 1925.

C. TLCOLL EY PLUNGER AND BLOCK RETAINER FOR BALERS Filed March 11. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l u/// ///s v Patented Aug. 11, W25.

UNl'i'E fiTATES rarer CLAY r. comma or NAEOLEONVILLE, LOUISIANA.

PLUNGER AND BLOCK RETAINER FOR BALERS.

Application filed March 11, 1925. Serial No. 14,748.

which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to a plunger and block retainer for all types of balers, and aims to provide an improved structure wherein the retainer is loosely connected to the plunger so that there will be a predetermined amount of play thereber tween and wherein a plurality of blocks may be mounted in the retainer.

An important object of the invention is to provide a pin and slot connection between the block retainer and plunger.

Another important object of the invention is to provide means for efficiently retaining the blocks in the retainer.

A further important object of the inven tion is to provide a combined plunger and block retainer possessed of an exceedingly simple and eiiicient structure, one which is thoroughly reliable in operation, inexpensive to construct, strong, durable, not liable to readily get out of order, and otherwise well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

WVith the above and numerous other objects in View as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionthrough a baling frame showing my combined plunger and block retainer at the end of the baling stroke.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the combined plunger and block retainer at the end of the return stroke.

Figure 3-is a sectional view through the combined plunger and block retainer.

Figure i is a similar view showing the plunger and block retainer separated to the extent of the slot provided therebetween.

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the blocks.

Figure 6 is a detail section through the retainer showing the friction spring. V

Figure 7 is a top plan view of a modification of the retainer, and

Figure 8 is a detail perspective of another modification of the retainer.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen'that 5 designates the baling frame which is more or less conventional in construction and provided with the usual block engaging dogs 6. My improved plunger and retainer structure is slidable inthis frame 5. The plunger is indicated by the numeral 7 and is provided with the pitman engaging ear 8 as is usual. A pair of slack pins 9 project transversely through thepiston 7 and terminate beyond the sides thereof. The retainer is indicated by the numeral 10 and is U-shaped in end elevation or transverse section and the ends of the sides are provided with elongated slotted ears 11 which are adapted to slide in recesses 12 provided in the piston 7 and the slack pins 9 project through the slots thereof so as to limit th play or slack between the piston and the retainer. A plurality of blocks are disposed in the retainer 10. Each block 13 is provided with oppositely disposed side notches 14 in which are engageable spring pressed strips 15 extended longitudinally of the sides of the retainer 10 for frictionally holding the blocks in place. The under faces of the blocks 13, as is usual, are provided with the transversely disposed grooves 16 through which may he slid the baling wires or the like.

As the plunger 7 moves on its baling stroke as shown in Figure 1 the slack between the plunger and the retainer will be taken up so that the plunger engages the adjacent block and the material is compressed until the dogs 6 extend into the notches 17 at the ends of the sides of the retainer and engage the adjacent block 13. Upon the return stroke of the piston 5 the retainer 10 will remain stationary until the slack is taken up, that is until the slack pins 9 engage in the ends of the slots of the slot-ted ears 11, and then the retainer will move with the piston and the space between the piston and the retainer will be suiiicient so that at the proper time another block may be inserted in the retainer 10 in the usual manner. Then as the stroke reverses, the piston will engage the blocks so as to slide them on their frictional retainers, namely the strips 15.

In case the friction of the blocks in the retainer is greater than the friction of the retainer in the baler a stop must be provided. In this case I find it preferable to provide the frame with slots 19 into which extend projections 20 formed on the retainer. These slots 19 are slightly shorter in length than the stroke of the piston so that the piston 7 will push the blocks through the re,- tainer when the stops 20 are disposed as shown in Figure l and the retainer will be sure to separate from the piston when in the position shown in Figure 2.

In case the expansion of the substance being baled is great enough'to thrust the baling blocks back against the plunger and not the block retainer, spring dogs will be substituted for the guide strips 15. I have shown these spring dogs in the modification disclosed in Figure 7 and have designated them specifically by the numerals 21.

The blocks can be placed into the retainer V from the top, bottom, or either side, and

' this depends entirely upon the situation of the baler, thereofQ In case the substance being baled falls upon the blocks in the container and interthe requirements and the type rupts the operation ofthe baler, the container can be covered, that is be rectangular in cross section such as is disclosed in F igure 8, the retainer being designated generally in this figure by the numeral 10.

This cover must be longer than the length of the stroke.

In view of the fact that the blocks at no time can'fbe cut by either the baler, the retainer or plunger, all breakage of baling blocks will be eliminated. I

The dimensions of this. improved structure may be changed to suit the particular type "of baler with which it is to be used. It I is thought that the construction, operation, and advantages of the invention will now be clearly understood by those skilled in this art without a more detailed description thereof. It will be apparent that the embodiments of the invention which I have described in detail attain all the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description as well as other advantages which will be evident to those skilled in the art during the use of the apparatus. i a It will further be apparent that numerous changes in the details of construction, in the materials, and inthe combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of its advantages. 1

Having thus describedthe invention, what I claim new is: T .7

1. In combination, a baler frame, a plunger and a block retainer slidablein the baler frame, a slack connectionbetween the plunger and the retainer, said frame provided with slots, and projections on the retainer extending into the slots.

2. In combination, a baler plunger and a blookretainer slidable in the baler frame, a slack connection between the plunger and the retainer, said frame provided with slots, projections on the retainer extending into the slots, and friction means.

ture. c

CLAY T. COLLEY.

frame, a

predetermined 

